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Driver Rams Into Silver Diner in McLean

A man rammed an SUV into a diner in McLean, Virginia, Wednesday, hitting a man and sparking a huge fire. News4's Pat Collins reports. (Published Wednesday, May 4, 2016)

The driver of an SUV appeared to deliberately ram the entrance of a diner in McLean, Virginia, during the lunchtime rush Wednesday, hitting a man and causing the vehicle to burst into flames, witnesses said.

A man driving a Hummer crashed three times into the front of the Silver Diner restaurant in Tysons Corner Center about 12:30 p.m., witnesses told News4. A Fairfax County Police spokesman said he could not confirm whether the crash was deliberate.

The driver hit a man the second time he crashed into the Fletcher Street restaurant, witnesses said. The third time, the SUV burst into orange flames with the driver inside, sending a huge plume of black smoke over the diner.

RAW VIDEO: Hummer on Fire at Silver Diner

Raw video of a Hummer on fire after hitting the Silver Diner in Tysons Corner. (Courtesy Dan Hughes)

(Published Wednesday, May 4, 2016)

"There was total pandemonium in the restaurant," witness Will Yeatman said. He was inside having coffee when the man slammed into the front door and customers scrambled to leave.

Video Yeatman recorded shows people screaming and dragging people away from the fire and crash.

He then rammed into the restaurant a second time, trapping a man between the SUV and the door.

Fire at Silver Diner in McLean

"Some people got inside quickly. He wasn't able to and he got pinned against the front door," Yeatman said. "It was really horrible. It was full-force. It looked like as soon as he got hit, he kind of passed out."

The driver then slammed into the restaurant a third time. The SUV burst into flames, sparking a roaring fire. The flames appeared to start between the driver's seat and passenger-side seat, Yeatman said.

Customers and workers managed to extricate the man the driver hit and pull victims into the parking lot before first-responders arrived.

Three people were taken to a hospital, including the driver, police said. A fourth person was treated at the scene. Information wasn't available immediately on whether the man hit by the SUV was taken to the hospital.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those injured," the statement said. The company is offering trauma counselors to affected employees and customers. Anyone desiring that service was advised to call 703-239-3324.

Silver Diner has 11 locations in Maryland and Virginia, plus outposts at Baltimore–Washington International Airport and in New Jersey.